Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Wins Nobel Peace Prize While Living in Hiding
María Corina Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 for her work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela, despite serious threats to her life and a government ban from public office.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, while living in hiding from the Maduro government. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the 58-year-old industrial engineer for her tireless work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela, despite serious threats against her life.
The announcement sparked immediate international controversy. The White House criticized the decision after President Trump had openly campaigned for the award, particularly following his role in the Gaza ceasefire deal. Trump’s spokesperson stated the Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.
Machado was blocked by Venezuelan courts from challenging President Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 election. Since going into hiding in August 2024, shortly after the disputed July 28 election, she has made only two public appearances but continues to inspire millions of Venezuelans fighting for democratic reforms across Latin America.
The prize carries a monetary award of 11 million Swedish crowns, approximately $1.7 million. The ceremony will take place in Oslo on December 10, 2025, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Whether Machado can safely attend remains uncertain given the arrest warrant issued by Venezuelan authorities.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize at a Glance
Key facts about this year’s prestigious award
Democratic Struggle Against Authoritarianism
The Nobel Committee’s choice reflects growing concern about authoritarian governance worldwide. Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes stated that when authoritarians seize power, it becomes crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.
Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election saw widespread repression including disqualifications, arrests, and human rights violations. After the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner despite credible evidence to the contrary, protests erupted across the country. The government responded with force, resulting in more than 20 deaths and thousands of arrests.
Edmundo González Urrutia, who replaced Machado as the opposition candidate after she was barred from running, fled to Spain and was granted asylum after Venezuelan courts issued an arrest warrant. The United Nations welcomed Machado’s award as recognition of Venezuela’s clear aspirations for free and fair elections.
Machado established the Atenea Foundation in 1992 to support street children in Caracas. In 2002, she co-founded Súmate, an organization promoting free and fair elections and conducting election monitoring. She was elected to the National Assembly in 2010, winning a record number of votes, but was expelled from office in 2014 by Maduro’s regime.
Timeline of Key Events
Machado’s journey from activist to Nobel laureate
Founded Atenea Foundation
Established the Atenea Foundation to support orphaned and troubled street children in Caracas using private donations.
Co-Founded Súmate
Co-founded Súmate, an organization focused on promoting electoral transparency, free and fair elections, and civic engagement through training and election monitoring.
Elected to National Assembly
Won a seat in the National Assembly with a record number of votes, becoming a prominent voice against Chávez’s policies.
Disqualified from Presidential Race
Venezuelan courts blocked Machado from running for president despite winning the opposition primary with over 90% of votes, preventing her from challenging President Nicolás Maduro.
Disputed Presidential Election
The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner despite opposition evidence showing Edmundo González Urrutia won by a landslide. Protests erupted across the country.
Goes Into Hiding
Machado went into hiding following threats to her life after the disputed election. Despite remaining in Venezuela, she has made only two brief public appearances since.
Nobel Prize Nomination
US lawmakers including Marco Rubio nominated Machado for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her courage despite serious threats.
Nobel Peace Prize Awarded
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to Machado for her tireless work promoting democratic rights and her struggle to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.
Venezuela in Regional Context
Exploring the geographic and political landscape of Venezuela’s democratic struggle
International Response and Controversy
Trump’s reaction and global implications of the award decision
White House Criticism
Following the announcement, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the decision, stating the Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for the award and actively campaigned for it.
Machado’s Dedication
In her reaction on social media platform X, Machado dedicated the prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support. Trump later claimed she accepted the award in his honor.
Global Recognition
UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Machado, stating the recognition reflects Venezuela’s clear aspirations for free and fair elections. The Committee focused on authoritarianism and the importance of recognizing courageous defenders of freedom.
US Military Operations
The award comes amid increasing US military operations in Caribbean waters. The Coast Guard has interdicted vessels allegedly carrying drugs off Venezuela’s coast in recent weeks, with Trump stating the US would look into attacking drug cartels coming by land in Venezuela.
Learn More: Official Sources & Related Coverage
Explore authoritative sources and related stories about the Nobel Peace Prize and Venezuela
Broader Context and Award Significance
Machado’s recognition joins a distinguished line of Nobel Peace Prize laureates who have fought against oppression. The award timing coincides with Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell leading economic negotiations with Maduro’s administration, though Grenell expressed dissatisfaction by tweeting that the Nobel Prize died years ago.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, when asked about Trump being passed over for the prize, praised the US president for doing a lot to resolve complex crises. Putin noted there have been cases where the committee awarded the prize to people who did nothing for peace.
The award ceremony on December 10 will present significant diplomatic and security challenges. Four other Nobel prizes were awarded this week in Stockholm, including medicine, physics, chemistry, and literature. The economics prize was announced on October 13, completing the 2025 Nobel prize cycle.
The Nobel Committee’s decision was announced on October 10, 2025, with the prize valued at 11 million Swedish crowns. Machado is the second Venezuelan to receive a Nobel Prize, following Baruj Benacerraf who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980. She is also the 20th woman among 143 total laureates awarded since the prize began in 1901.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to María Corina Machado for her work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela.
